Brian Hancock

Just "Googled" your smiths name and had quite a few hits. Try this as well. http://www.touken.or.jp/english/nihon_koto_shi/(45)%20No.601.htm Brian.

Thanks Stephen, good of you to take the time to reply. Brian.

Hi All, My question is twofold. I have just got my hands on a gorgeous Kai Gunto from a friend and its signed "Hizen ju Masakiyo" my question is who was this guy? I am having a great deal of trouble finding any info on him.He is mentioned in the "Hizento Handbook" but under the title "Hizen no Kuni ju Masakiyo, period unclear" He's not in Roger Robertshaws book so I am assuming he's wasn't in the Tadayoshi school of smiths. If anyone can help I would be most greatful. My second question is I have a sword signed with a 2 character signature that reads "Kanesada" but the only one I can find in Toko Taikan is from the 1600's and its definitely not that old. I have attached a picture of the mei and again any help would be wonderful.

Musashi has a web site you may want to check out. http://www.js-musashi.com well worth a look.

Hi Nick, Took your advice and phoned Parcelforce today and was told they don't handle swords or firearms or antiques.Thanks,Brian.

This is for the UK guys really. In a previous post I wrote to warn you about a Vietnamese guy in Frankfurt who bought a sword off me and claimed it was damaged.I gave him his money back and put a claim in with Parcelfarce UK. I enclosed all documentation require and even a CD with pictures of the damage as well as photo's. No response. I then e-mailed them asking about progress of the claim or even if they had received it. I got this reply today. Dear Brian Hancock Your claim was processed on 3/6/08 claim reference 18044270. The claim was rejected as the goods sent are excluded from compensation as they are antique. I have arranged for another letter to be sent out to you with this information. It clearly stated on the customs form what was in the parcel and what the value was. They were cetainly happy to take my money for the insurance. So whats the point of insuring parcels that contain "Antiques"? So it seems that their insurance is invalid but you still have to pay for it! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Brian.

Hi Jock, You are a very wicked man! but you are to late I have a bid in for $35,000

Thanks to you guy's for the help. I have to admit I was getting desperate.Had the fingerstones on it for an hour this afternoon and its transformed it already. Another week and it should look great.Thanks again to those who helped. Brian.

Thanks Steven. Brian

Hi All, I need expert advice! I just got hold of this sword in gunto mounts. The signature is Toshihide but not Horii Toshihide. I have done a book search with the books I have and also a web search but withput any results. I can find Horii but no others. I would be most grateful if someone could shed some light on this. I hope I have attached pics of the nakago for you to see. Thanks in advance. Brian.

I recently sold a sword to a Vietnamese guy on Ebay called "Vanhong" who lives in Frankfurt. He paid by PayPal, no problem. I wrapped the sword in bubble wrap so that it just fitted into a 4" round plastic tube and posted it off with full insurance. It went via Parcelfarces (Yes, you read it right ) "Global Priority" It took 11 days to get there. He then e-mails to say the saya is split from top to bottom and that he is dissappointed with the sword and that the tsuba has been repaired.The "repair" was the copper spacers used to stop the tsuba rattling about. Also the tsuka was loose. He sent me the worst pictures I have ever seen of the damage and then says if I don't give him his money back he will report me to PayPal. I told him to send better pictures and I would claim for a new saya. I then got a "Chargeback" from PP. Cutting it short I gave him his money back. He sent the sword back and then e-mailed me to complain about P/pal not paying him quickly enough! So if he bids on any of your items "Procede with caution! "

This guy is off to a flying start on Ebay. 28 deals and already he's down to 93% feedback. Oh Dear! Brian. (UK)

Hi Ian, I was talking to Mike H-S the other day and he is having the same problem with "The Hub" He has tried phoning twice only to be told "Someone will phone you back" needless to say nobody bothered. He has now e-mailed them and is awaiting a reply at their leasure. It seems to me these people aren't accountable to anyone other than themselves and can interpret the law as they see fit. Mikes sword had all the correct paperwork which clearly stated the sword was 1350 - 1400 period. You could have nightmares wondering if some dipstick in "The Hub" is playing at Samurai's with it. Brian.

I think Ebay is having a "Selective Ban" on Nihonto. It seems that if you live outside of the UK then you can list your sword on there ie. all the Chinese crap is still getting listed. If you are a UK citizen then its a "No Go" area. As our American friends say "Its a Crock"!

Ford has a very good point in fact a friend of mine sugested why don't the Northern and Southern Token get a site up and running doing exactly this? They could charge a minimal fee for listings which could go toward running the societies. No Chinese crap,No Ebay paranoia,No rip off artists,No problems and no inflated dealer prices (Maybe) Just a thought.Cheers,Brian

All I can say is thank goodness you can only kill someone with a Samurai sword. We can all sleep safer at night now! What a load of old crap. I feel better now I've got that off my chest! Cheers,Brian.

Hi All, I've had this site in my "Favourites" for some time now.I only came across it by mistake.Its a nice site with some good stuff for us beginners. Cheers, Brian.

Hi Stephen, Here is a copy of my "Gimie" Kanemoto nakago and the correct one from Moriyama san.Cheers,Brian.

Same for me too. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all the board members.

I think Remzy hit it just right.Gorgeous!

Yes thats the link to the pictures marked MNB 1,2,3. Thanks for the help Brian. Any thoughts yourself? Also Thanks to "Ichi" for the info on the Tsuba. Its more than I knew!

Hi Brian,Added a photo through Photobucket but cant paste 2nd link onto my topic.

Hi All, I have only had this sword for a week and being new to Nihonto my library is sadly lacking. No signature,very faint file marks, 29" from tip to end of nakago, double habaki, and a tsuba signed " Kofu ju Masatoshi" which I was told possibly late Edo. I realise its not much for you to go on but any help would be great.It does require a polish to bring out the hamon. Links to pictures. 1) http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa29 ... t=NMB1.jpg

Page saved if you need it.

Hi HS, Just been strolling through Ebay in the USA and saw you are "mentioned in dispatches" . Have a look at this item #Item number: 190145195792 if you haven't already seen it.